Delft University of Technology engineering professor Erik Schlangen may have created a way to make that happen. Schlangen has invented self-healing asphalt, also known as bitumen, a material that could make roads safer and the dreaded "construction season" a thing of the past.

Porous asphalt, a popular choice in Northern Europe because of its noise reduction and water drainage capabilities, starts showing signs of wear within a few years. Schlangen claims that his self-healing asphalt has a lifespan twice that.

Schlangen brought his revolutionary product to TED to demonstrate how it works. Check out the video above to learn the science behind this self-healing road wonder.